Opinions

With goverment suppliers waiting over two years to be paid in parts of Italy, a new law decrees much quicker terms - as did a previous proposals. What's really needed for jump-starting growth are simplification, relaxation of the Stability Pact and budget rebalancing

As the Milano Design Week approaches, the Italian furniture industry needs to take stock of its potential and vulnerabilities. Public incentives are needed to support Italian design excellence in times of crisis and help small and medium producers create export opportunities

In spite of historical markets like Europe and Japan being in recession, watchmaking is still a growth industry. Timepiece producers are integrating innovative technologies and new materials, but the classic mechanical gold watch remains the bestseller today

Looking at the new constitution, the military come out as winners of the country's ongoing political clashes. Despite the political changes, the generals emerge with control of their own budget and with de facto power to promote or block military actions

Many are the vulnerabilities of the Italian system of transportation and logistics. As Europe is pushing for a comprehensive long-term strategy on transport infrastructures and models, Italy should start implementing the process right away.

Child obesity is an epidemic, and Italy holds the unenviable European record, mostly due to lack of public awareness. It is a problem that needs to be solved with national communication programs for healthy lifestyles, under the supervision of the World Health Oraganization